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Cited by 1,187Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic speciesFish Biology and Ecology StudiesAnimal Behavior and Reproduction

A Standardized Terminology for Describing Reproductive Development in Fishes

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Brown-Peterson, Nancy J., Wyanski, David M., Saborido-Rey, Fran, Macewicz, Beverly J., Lowerre-Barbieri, Susan K.·2011·Marine and Coastal Fisheries
DOI 10.1080/19425120.2011.555724
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Abstract

As the number of fish reproduction studies has proliferated, so has the number of gonadal classification schemes and terms. This has made it difficult for both scientists and resource managers to communicate and for comparisons to be made among studies. We propose the adoption of a simple, universal terminology for the phases in the reproductive cycle, which can be applied to all male and female elasmobranch and teleost fishes. These phases were chosen because they define key milestones in the reproductive cycle; the phases include immature, developing, spawning capable, regressing, and regenerating. Although the temporal sequence of events during gamete development in each phase may vary among species, each phase has specific histological and physiological markers and is conceptually universal. The immature phase can occur only once. The developing phase signals entry into the gonadotropin-dependent stage of oogenesis and spermatogenesis and ultimately results in gonadal growth. The spawning capable phase includes (1) those fish with gamete development that is sufficiently advanced to allow for spawning within the current reproductive cycle and (2) batch-spawning females that show signs of previous spawns (i.e., postovulatory follicle complex) and that are also capable of additional spawns during the current cycle. Within the spawning capable phase, an actively spawning subphase is defined that corresponds to hydration and ovulation in females and spermiation in males. The regressing phase indicates completion of the reproductive cycle and, for many fish, completion of the spawning season. Fish in the regenerating phase are sexually mature but reproductively inactive. Species-specific histological criteria or classes can be incorporated within each of the universal phases, allowing for more specific divisions (subphases) while preserving the overall reproductive terminology for comparative purposes. This terminology can easily be modified for fishes with alternate reproductive strategies, such as hermaphrodites (addition of a transition phase) and livebearers (addition of a gestation phase).

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  • Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna resorb their POFs within 24 hours of spawning.

    “all of which spawn in water temperatures above 24°C and resorb their POFs within 24 hours of spawning.”

    From Spawning Dynamics and Size Related Trends in Reproductive Parameters of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (2015) · cites this paper as [19]

    The Female Reproductive Cycle section says POFs degenerate more slowly in colder waters than in warmer waters, which supports a general relationship between temperature and POF persistence. It does not state that skipjack, yellowfin, or bigeye tuna resorb POFs within 24 hours of spawning, or establish the cited 24°C threshold. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna spawn in water temperatures above 24°C.

    “all of which spawn in water temperatures above 24°C and resorb their POFs within 24 hours of spawning.”

    From Spawning Dynamics and Size Related Trends in Reproductive Parameters of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (2015) · cites this paper as [19]

    The Female Reproductive Cycle section discusses spawning and postovulatory follicles, and the References list a study of skipjack tuna spawning frequency. Searches for the three tuna species and a 24°C spawning threshold found no passage in our copy stating that they spawn above 24°C. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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References 87 · Cited by 1,187

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Authors
Brown-Peterson, N. J., Wyanski, D. M., Saborido-Rey, F., Macewicz, B. J., & Lowerre-Barbieri, S. K.
Affiliations
  • Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564, USA
  • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (US)
  • Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas de Vigo, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Eduardo Cabello, 6, Vigo, Pontevedra E-36208, Spain
  • NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (US)
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue Southeast, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA
ORCID
Wyanski, David M.
Venue
Marine and Coastal Fisheries
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2011-01-01
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
52-70
ISSN
1942-5120 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1080/19425120.2011.555724
OpenAlex
W2035822137
Cited by
1,187
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 104 · 2025: 87 · 2024: 93 · 2023: 78 · 2022: 103 · 2021: 120 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 86 · 2018: 73 · 2017: 76 · 2016: 77 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 48 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 30
FWCI
30.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Marine and Coastal Fisheries (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Aquila Digital Community (University of Southern Mississippi) (submittedVersion)
  • BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
South Carolina Marine Resources Center (678)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Keywords
oogenesis, spermatogenesis, spawning, gonadal regression, batch spawning, hermaphroditism, Poeciliidae, elasmobranchs, teleosts

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